General information

U.S. passport application processing times

The U.S. Department of State expects a significant increase in passport applications in 2016 and 2017, which may cause processing times to increase. It's recommended that U.S. citizens submit passport applications and renewals well ahead of planned travel. Also, beginning January 1, 2016, U.S. citizens can no longer receive passport page inserts, so if you're running out of pages, you may want to renew now even if your passport is not expiring.

U.S. Department of State travel advisories

Argentina Reciprocity Fee

Australian and Canadian citizens are required to pre-pay a Reciprocity Fee for entry into Argentina. The fee was previously collected at Argentine airports upon arrival; however, customers must now pay the Reciprocity Fee online through Argentina's National Immigration Agency website before checking in for their flight to Argentina. A barcoded receipt for payment must be presented to a representative at check-in.

United is not permitted to transport to Argentina any Australian or Canadian citizen who has not paid the Reciprocity Fee prior to departure. Failure to provide a copy of the barcoded payment receipt at check-in will result in a delay or possible denial of your travel to Argentina. Please visit https://reciprocidad.provincianet.com.ar for complete details, including the fee amount and the validity period. Any questions regarding this fee or the payment process should be directed to the Argentine authorities.

Aruba immigration form – complete it online and save time

If you're traveling to Aruba, you can complete the required immigration form online before your travel instead of filling out a paper form in flight. This service is free and saves you time upon arrival in Aruba. Learn more at Aruba's Immigration Service website.

Update for nationals of China visiting the U.S.

Beginning November 29, 2016, nationals of China holding a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 (visitor) visa will be required to complete an EVUS enrollment in order to enter the U.S. For more information, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Control website.

Cuba travel information

If you are a U.S. citizen or former Cuban national with U.S. residence and are looking to travel to Cuba, you must meet some special requirements pertaining to your reason for travel, health insurance, passport and visa, and proof of return or onward travel. Learn more about Cuba travel

Dublin Airport – US Preclearance

Customers traveling from Dublin Airport to the United States can complete all U.S. immigration, customs and agriculture inspections prior to departure rather than upon arrival, so they can be on their way more quickly when they reach their destination. Learn more about US Preclearance

European Union policy notices

Learn more about compensation and assistance in the event of denied boarding and cancellation or delay of United-operated flights departing airports located within EU Member States.

Keep Infectious Animal Diseases Out of the European Union

Products of animal origin may carry pathogens causing infectious diseases in animals. Due to the risk of travelers importing disease into the European Union, bringing in meat, meat products, milk, and milk products is prohibited unless you can comply with one of the following exceptions.

You may bring in powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods required for medical reasons provided that the product does not require refrigeration before consumption, it is a packaged proprietary brand product, and the packaging is unbroken.

You may bring in other personal consignments of meat, meat products, milk, or milk products into designated points of entry into the Community only if you have obtained the necessary documentation from the official veterinary services of the country from which you are traveling and you declare any such goods and present your documentation upon your arrival to the Community frontier for veterinary control.

All other meat, meat products, milk, or milk products must be surrendered on arrival to the frontier of the European Union for official disposal. For food not containing meat or milk derivatives, you may bring up to 1 kg without need for declaration for veterinary control.

Israeli Aviation Services Law

London Heathrow Positive Boarding Program

Since June 24, 2013, United has participated in Heathrow Airport's Positive Boarding Program, which is intended to streamline the passenger journey through Heathrow and provide airlines with enhanced passenger boarding information to help facilitate efficient and timely airline departures. Please note that as part of United's participation in this Program, passenger information, including but not limited to name, transit location within the Heathrow Airport and other flight departure information, will be used by the Heathrow Airport Authority and United in order to monitor travelers' passage through the Airport.

Using this information will allow United to better serve our customers in providing travel services requested by identifying and proactively working with passengers who might miss their flights. It is important that passengers traveling through Heathrow understand the use of their personal information for this specific purpose. By transiting through Heathrow Airport, passengers consent to the use of their personal information in this manner.

UK Alternative Dispute Resolution – for UK flights only

If you have a complaint about your travel experience with United, please submit your feedback to our Customer Care team at united.com/feedback for the most efficient processing. You can also contact our Customer Care team at customercare@united.com.

The European Commission has set up an Online Dispute Resolution platform at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr to provide easy access to alternative dispute resolution. Alternatively, you can log your complaint with CAA's Passenger Advice and Complaints Team (PACT) by completing the online complaint form via the CAA website. Under the "How the CAA can help" section, select the “Refer your complaint to us” link to access the CAA’s consumer portal where you can submit your complaint to PACT.

Venezuelan aviation security

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is unable to determine whether Venezuelan airports that serve as the last point of departure for non-stop flights to the U.S. maintain and carry out effective aviation security measures in accordance with the Standards and appropriate Recommended Practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). All flights are subject to continuing effectiveness of government approvals.